Archive | Technology Etiquette

Do you know how to proofread? Please note I am not asking if you proofread your work, but if you know how to do so, effectively. Far too many people appear to think that using the spell check program on their computer constitutes proofreading, when in fact all spell check does is search for misspelled […]

As you step up to place an order for your morning coffee or a quick meal, are you also talking on your cell phone? The person on the other side of the counter is just that — a person — there to take down your information, ring up the sale, and speed you on your […]

I was sorting through my computer files over the weekend and ran across an email I had saved because it was such a good example of a great customer service email. It was short, clear, direct, and most of all, helpful. I had ordered something from a company on-line – a company I was not […]

I attended a meeting just the other day and what is unfortunately an all too-common occurrence became a serious problem – so much so that the person leading the meeting, who was seated next to me, leaned over and said “That is about to drive me nuts!” “That” being ringing cell phones. When the […]

Landlines – cell phones – smart phones – iPhones. They all help us communicate with others; we can make a direct connection and have a conversation, or we can leave information in a message to be heard later. What do you do after you listen to your phone messages? Do you make note of the […]

Do you make it easy for people to reach you? I am usually pretty good at searching out information on the internet, but a couple of weeks ago, after a 20 minute on-line search, I had to throw in the towel. When I entered this person’s name into the search engines, multiple pages came up […]

Have you ever exchanged business or contact cards with someone, thinking she might be a good person to follow up with at a later date, or that it would be helpful to have his contact information on file? Instead, you find yourself on the receiving end of newsletters, company announcements, industry alerts, invitations to upcoming […]

Facebook has been described as many things … a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family, a good way to reconnect with old acquaintances, an addiction, an invasion of privacy, and/or a complete waste of time. It is a hugely popular social networking site that allows users to connect with friends, family […]

Take the pre-emptive approach! Have you ever sent an email to someone, asking for specific information, only to receive a reply that contains everything but what you requested? Frustrating, isn’t it. A well-written, effective email message will not only contain the requested information — to avoid the additional back and forth exchange of further missives […]

When we make a telephone call and leave a message, we know it may be a few hours, or (unfortunately) a few days before we receive a return call. It is just what we have come to expect. However, with an email message, we have come to expect something more, perhaps because the entire thing […]